Significant easing of the supply situation

After the crisis winter of 2022/2023, the transmission system operators can look back on a more relaxed winter in 2023/2024. “The gas supply was guaranteed to be stable and reliable without any major obstacles,” said FNB Gas CEO Dr. Thomas Gößmann. Mild temperatures ensured comparatively low sales, while the consolidation of diversified import routes and high storage levels provided additional security.

While Germany faced a crisis situation in the winter of 2022/2023 due to the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and the halt in Russian gas supplies, the supply situation has eased considerably this winter. The predominantly mild winter temperatures led to lower gas consumption, particularly in the heating market.

Diversified import routes and high storage levels ensure normalization

The diversified import routes were able to cover the demand for natural gas without any problems. In addition to continued large supply volumes from Norway, western feed-ins, particularly from Belgium, the Netherlands and France, also continued, albeit at a slightly lower level than in the previous winter. In addition, gas was imported to Germany via the three German LNG terminals.

These developments also meant that wholesale prices fell significantly again compared to the previous year. The demand for balancing energy also returned to normal. In addition, the storage levels were above the legally required minimum values at all times, so that the TSOs could also have coped with high-load situations during a cold spell.

Close cooperation

The high capacity utilization of the compressor stations remained a challenge in terms of transport technology due to the transport volumes that continued to be fed in primarily in the north and west. However, thanks to intensive cooperation, the FNB was also able to master these challenges.

“Even though we were able to fully guarantee security of supply this winter, we must remain vigilant and be prepared for future crises,” explains Dr. Thomas Gößmann, Chairman of the FNB Gas Executive Board. “We are now better equipped for this thanks to many newly created instruments, such as the gas safety platform.”